Jesus Is Nailed to the Cross

“When they came to the place called “the Skull,” they crucified him there, together with two criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”” (cf. Lk 23:33-34a)

Look

The Skull. Two criminals, one on the right, one on the left. In the midst of the pain, the first words Luke's Gospel records from the cross are not a complaint but a prayer for the very people crucifying him: “Father, forgive them.” Forgiveness here does not mean saying that evil is fine. Jesus does not deny what they are doing; he places it in the Father's hands. At this station, read those words slowly, then stay in silence for a while.

Ask your heart

Is there someone you have not yet been able to forgive, whose name you could place today in Jesus' prayer?

One small thing

Slowly say the words “Father, forgive them” and name one person who has hurt you. Forgiveness does not require you to go back to a dangerous place; it begins with that prayer.